Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How much does it cost to join?
A: Active (flying) Membership dues are $47 per month, with a one-time $600 initiation fee.
Q: How much do the planes cost?
A: Aircraft range from $53 to $98 an hour (tach) and fuel is included (wet).
Q: How much does an instructor cost?
A: Instructors cost $37 an hour for both ground and flight instruction.
Q: How long does it take to get a pilot’s license (Private Pilot Certificate)?
A: This depends solely on your efforts including your flying performance with an instructor,
how much effort you put into the “book” work and retain your knowledge. Additional factors
include weather conditions, aircraft availability (not usually an issue), and your personal life
such as family obligations. Although the industry likes to use “40 hours” as a number –
which may be possible, the reality is usually twice that number of hours.
Q: How much does it cost to earn a pilot’s license (Private Pilot Certificate)?
A: If you use “50 hours” as a benchmark and take that times $98 for our Cherokee and $37
for the instructor, the cost would be an estimated $6700 dollars ($4900 + $1800). Again, if it
takes twice as many hours than it costs twice as much.
Again, the key thing to remember is that “hours” doesn’t make a pilot. Your flying skill and
your practical application of the knowledge you have gained are what make you a pilot.
Everything in aviation revolves around what is legal and what is safe. Knowledge is KEY.
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Q: I might be interested but I am still not sure…what should I do?
A: Try Provisional Membership since this allows prospective pilots to experience flying
without making a major financial commitment. An initiation fee of $47 and dues of $47 per
month entitles you to three hours of flight instruction at member rates, and if you submit an
application for Active Membership the initial three hours is extended until your application
is acted on. Provisional Members have limited privileges, but the application can be
accepted on-the-spot by your CFI.
Q: Ok…I have waited all my life and want to be a pilot… what should I do?
A: Go get cleared for flight by contacting an FAA Medical Examiner. As a student pilot you
will need to have a “Student Pilot Certificate” issued to you by the examiner to solo, so you
might as well get this out of the way now. Cost is est. $145 (cash usually)
Find an AME (Aviation Medical Examiner) at: https://www.faa.gov/pilots/amelocator/
Q: Ok…I now have my student pilot certificate…what should I do?
A: Go to our web site and contact a flight instructor to see which one can best
accommodate your specific needs.
Our list of flight instructors is at: http://www.pennyanflyingclub.com/instructors.asp
Q: I have picked my instructor…what should I do next?
A: Go to our web site and download a membership application at the link shown below or
take one from our table (if visiting the club).
http://www.pennyanflyingclub.com/docs/2015-Membership-Application-Form.pdf
At this point you will hand in your application to your instructor who will then set up your
account in our reservation system (MyFBO). This reservation system is where you will
schedule your flights, flight instructor and manage your billing account…and yes, credit
cards are accepted.
Best of luck to you!
Blue skies and calm winds…and see the world in a whole new way!
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